Glassware annealing leer



June 21, 1932. A.N.CRAMER .8 .6 7

GLAS SWARE ANNEALING LEER Filed'May 28, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I T 1 I l I I '0 m Q m m ggq I 3hr 01 "m June 21, 1932.

A. N. CRAMER GLASSWARE ANNEALING LEER Filed May 28, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet s June 21, 1932. A N, CRAMER 1 1,863,687

GLASSWARE ANNEALING LEER Filed May 28, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 21, 1932. A. N. CRAMER GLASSWARE ANNEALING LEER 5 Sheets-Sheet Patented June 21, 1932 I treat ALBERT N. CRAMER, 0F TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 QWENS-ILLINQIS GLAS$ 630311- PAINY, 0F TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION 0F OHIO GLASSWABE ANWLING LEER Application filed May 28, 1928. Serial No. 281,254.

Ihe present invention relates to improvements in glassware annealing leers, particularly to that type in which ware is transported through a leer tunnel upon a continuously moving conveyor.

An object of the present invention is to provide in a glassware annealing leer an improved ware conveyor construction which is unusually effective in maintaining ware in an upright position during its passage through the leer tunnel.

Another object is to provide a ware conveyor which will not interfere materially or to an objectionable extent, with tree circulation of an annealing medium therethrough. To this end, the conveyor comprises a series of interconnected metal strips set on edge and bent in a fashion to permit hinging the strips together. The separable connection between the bent metal strips or conveyor sections is such that the strips may be easily removed from the unit singly or in groups when necessary. This ware conveyor, because of its peculiar construction, successfully resists narrowing under the strain or operating conditions and thereby further contributes to improved annealing conditions and economy in leer maintenance.

A further object is to provide a novel conveyor supporting means peculiarly adaptable for cooperation with a conveyor of the character above referred to. v To this end, the supporting means comprises an open grate bar structure oiiering little interference to the upward circulation or" an annealing medium therethrough and at the same time supporting the upper reach of the ware conveyor in a manner to insure uniform wear of the conveyor transversely of the latter. Further this conveyor supporting means is such that the upper reach of the conveyor is' inai te tained in a true horizontal plane and thereby insures carrying oi the ware through the leer in an upright position.

Because of the intense heat to. which certain portions of the leer elements are sub-= jected and the difierence in coeiiicients of expansion of metals, warping of sections of the conveyor supporting means in the usual leer is often experienced. This is mainly due to failure to provide means whereby one portion of the leer is free to expand a greater degree than another portion subjected to the same temperature. Accordingly, the present conveyor support is built up of separate sec- 55 tions individually removable so that any warped or otherwise distorted section or sections may be readily removed and replaced without great difiiculty and at a minimum cost. Further, the sections are so relatively 9 arranged that they may expand independently of each other and of adjacent elements to thereby additionally provide for elimination of warping.

A still further object is to provide a novel type of conveyor roll peculiarly and well adapted for use with a conveyor of the type referred to above. To, this end, each roll in-v cludes a series of bars extending transversely relative to theconveyor and spaced from each 70 other to contact with alternate transversely extending sections of the conveyor, said bars and conveyor sections havin relatively wide flat bearing surfaces, where hy exceptionally eiiective frictional driving engagement be- 7 tween the rolls and conveyor is obtained,

In leer operation wherein an endless conveyor carries ware through the leer tunnel, it is quite advantageous to bring the temperature of the conveyor to a degree approximato the latter. The present invention contem- 35 plates preheating the ware conveyor by embodying in one of the conveyor rolls at the front end of the leer, suitable burners which direct suficient heat into contact with adjacent portions of the conveyor to raise the temno perature of the latter to a degree substantially corresponding to that of ware placed in the leer.

Often-times blasts of intense heat discharge from the front end of the leer into the faces es of the persons feeding the leer, such condition quite obviously being dangerous and extremely objectionable. To overcome this objection, the present invention contemplates the pro vision of exhaustfiues in the usual gate or Slot door at the front end of the leer whereby these blasts of intense heat are caused to move upwardly through the fines to the atmosphere, instead offorwardly beneath the gate or door as is customary.

- burners are decreased in number and spaced further apart in a progressive fashion from the heating zone to the cooling zone to thereby improve annealing conditions. This application of heat is in direct contrast to the method employed in the usual open fired leer wherein the heat is conducted through a series of fines and directed downwardly upon the ware. Considerable loss in heat is experienced in the latter method.

Other objects will be apparent hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1, is a vertical central longitudinal section of a portion of a leer constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view with parts broken away to disclose the ware conveyor and its supporting means, as well as their relation to the burners.

Fig. 3 is a front end elevation of the leer with parts broken away to show the conveyor rolls and the gate construction.

Fig. 3A is a detail perspective view showin one of the dampers for the leer door.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail perspective view showing the construction of ware conveyor supporting means.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail perspective view showing the ware conveyor structure.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail sectional view illustrating the driving engagement between the conveyor and the conveyor rolls.

Fig. 6A is a detail sectional view of the conveyor roll construction and its relation to the conveyor sections.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view illustrating the heating means embodied in one of the convevor rolls for preheating the ware; conveyor.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially at the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional elevatlon of the fuel injector.

In the drawings, the leer is illustrated as comprising a floor 15 supported on pillars 16, or the like members, and including side walls 17 and a leer roof or ceiling 18. The floor, side walls and roof may be formed of any flange 30 of one of the' cross bars 25.

suitable insulating material and are held in assembled relation by a framework 19 (Figs.

fuel sets up a pressure acting to prevent eddy or convection currents from carrying cold air into contact with the ware.

At the front end of the leer, the burner pipes 23 are positioned quite close to each other and the burner tips 24 are quite numerous. The spaced relation between the pipes 23 increases toward the rear end of the" heating and preliminary cooling areas, and

the burner tips are decreased in number so that ware passing through the leer is subjected to steadily decreasing degrees of heat.

during movement through a predetermined length of the leer.

The floor of the tunnel (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) through which the ware is carried rests upon .the longitudinal side members 20 in spaced relation to the series of burners which are supported in said side members. This floor includes a pluralit of longitudinally spaced cross bars 25 whic are preferably T-shap'ed in cross section and each-comprising a centrally arranged flange 30 rising vertically from the base portion to support grate bar units 31 making up the conveyor supporting area. These cross bars are uniformly spaced apart distances corresponding to the lengths of the grate bar units 31 which are arranged in transverse rows across the leerand are individually removable.

Each grate bar unit includes a flat rectangular body portion 32 (Fig. 4). An arm 33 extends laterally from one side of the body portion 32'and is formed at its outer end with an angular finger 35 which rests upon a This arm 33 is preferably increased in transverse body portion 32 whereby its conveyor support1ng area is increased. A pair of laterally extending arms 34 is formed on the oppowidth in proximity to its connection to the I horizontal offer little interference to the free upward circulation of an annealing medium through the tunnel floor and conveyor for contact with the ware.

In assembling these grate bars units, the directions in which the single arms 33 of adjacent units extend is reversed so that the angular fingers 35 are uniformly spaced apart along the cross bars 25 whereby in the assembling of the next succeeding transverse row of cross bars, the fingers at the rear ends of said next succeeding row may be supported upon the cross bars in the spaces between the forward fingers of the preceding row. By this arrangement, the grate bar units may be removed independently of each other for replacement or for other reasons.

The fingers 35 (Fig. 4) are spaced a short distance from the vertical webs 30 so that the grate bars may expand independently of each other and the remaining structure. Thus, varying of the conveyor support is reduced to a minimum, and, consequently, the conveyor may at all times occupy a true horizontal plane to properly support bottles or the like thereon.

The upper surfaces of the body portion, arms and fingers of the grate bar units 31 are in the same horizontal plane, thereby insuring maintenance of the ware conveyor in a plane during its travel through the leer; Thus, there is little likelihood of Ware upsetting during its passage through the. leer. By arranging the arms 34: of the grate bar units diagonally relative to the direction of travel of the conveyor (Figs. 2 and 4), the wearing'of the lower face of the conveyor is uniform throughout. This latter feature obviously serves to maintain the ware supporting surface of the conveyor in a true horizontal plane.

The unit at the forward end of the leer floor (Figs. 1 and 4) comprises a crossbar 26 supported on the transverse channel'iron unit 21 and formed with a relatively wide conveyor supporting plate 27 arranged in a horizontal plane with the conveyor supporting surfaces of the other leer floor units. A transverse row of arms 28 formed on the cross bar 26 terminate in angular fingers 29 resting upon the cross bar 25 in the spaces between the fingers at the rear ends of the first row of grate bar units 31.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the tunnel floor construction is such that it will effectively support the ware carrying reach of the conveyor in a true horizontal plane to insure supporting the ware in an upright posi tion .at all times. and is of such construction that it will readily carry the conveyor with a capacity load, and at the same time offer a minimum interference to the free circulation of the annealing medium upwardly into and through the leer tunnel.

The ware conveyor 131 (Fig. 5) embodies other end of the leer so that parts of the conveyor may be readily removed if necessary.

The conveyor 131 is composed of a longitudinal series of transverse sections 40 hinged together, each section comprlsmg a metal strip set on edge and bent into aseries of substantially U-shape sections 41, adjacent sections opening in opposite directions longitudinally of the conveyor. These transverse sections 40 are separably connected by removable hinge rods 42 Fig. 5) extending through transversely aligned openings 43 in said elements.

The opposite ends 44 of the hinge rods are passed through openings 45 in the end portions of the strips and bent upon themselves to prevent accidental displacement.

This conveyor 131, which, as just stated, consists of a series of these peculiarly formed strips set on edge, travels over the tunnel floor in conveying ware through the leer, and due to the open formation of both the conveyor and floor, the annealing medium may freely circulate through both the floor and conveyor for contact with ware supported on the latter. Since the conveyor units comprise strips of metal of uniform Width bent as described and set upon the grate bars, it is evident thatthe ware supporting reach of the conveyor will be maintained in ahorizontal plane and thereby support the articles in an upright position while being annealed. If circumstances require removal or replacement of portions of the conveyor, it is only necessary to remove two. of the transverse hinge rods 42 at thedesired points. In this manner, the conveyor may be lengthenedbr shortened or sections replaced if desirable.

The ware conveyor 131 is of the endless type and runs over a pair of superposed conveyor rolls 50 at the front end of the leer and has its lower reach 51 supported on transverse rollers 52 below the floor 15 of the leer. A driving roll 50 (Fig. 6) is provided at the rear end of the leer. The lower reach of the conveyor runs outsidexof the leer and is exposed to view of the operator who may read-.

ily determine when sections should be replaced. Further, the location of the lower reach of the conveyor outside of the leer insures sufficient cooling thereof to permit re moval or replacement of sections without difficulty.

The conveyor rolls 50 at the opposite ends of the leer are constructed to insure proper engagement with the leer or ware conveyor 131 heretofore described. Each roll (Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 6). comprises a transverse shaft 55 journalled in transversely aligned bearings 56 in the side walls 17 of the leer and carrying a series of longitudinally spaced disks 57 about whose peripheries are arranged a plurality of bars 58. These bars extend longitudinally of the shaft and are spaced apart circumferentially on the disks. Each bar 58 is rectangular in cross section and is set into a series of aligned notches 59 in the disks 57 and held in these notches or seats by screws 60 or like fasteners. In mounting the bars 58 on the disks to form the conveyor rolls, said bars are spaced apart distances approximating that between the hinge rods 42 which interconnect the conveyor sections 40.

Thus, when the conveyor passes over the rolls.

at opposite ends of the leer, the flat inner faces of alternate conveyor sections will frictionally engage the outer broad flat faces of two adjacent bars 58, the intermediate unit and connector rods being positioned between said two adjacent bars 58. Thus, rovision is made for obtaining maximum rictional driving engagement between the driving roll 50 at the delivery end of the leer (Fig. 6) and the ware or leer conveyor 131.

Provision is made for preheating of the ware conveyor 131 in advance of placing ware thereon at the front end of the leer, The means for efiecting this preheating consists of a chamber (Fig. 1) through which the lower reach of the conveyor travels. This chamber houses the two vertically spaced conveyor rolls and a pair of transverse burner pipes 66, the latter having burners 66 thereon for directing flames against those portions of the conveyor immediately above the burners. In addition to this heating means, one of the conveyor rolls, .preferably the lower one (Figs. 1 and 7), is equi ped with heating device These devices igs. 7, 8 and 9) consist of a plurality of burners 67 arranged in staggered relation along the hollow shaft 55, the latter serving as a mamfold for supplyin fuel to end of this mani old (Fig. 7) is tapered to form a Venturi tube 68 terminating in a yoke 69 having a'bearing 7 O axially aligned with the Venturi tube 68. A spud 71 is axially adjustable in a sleeve 72 which in turn is journalled in said bearing-70, said spud .(Fig. 9) 71 formed at its inner end with an adjusting nut 7 3 which is rotatively connected to a fuel supply pipe 74, the latter being capable o movement in the direction of its length when the spud is adjusted as will be apparent.

By loosening a set screw 75 in the sleeve 72- and rotating the nut 73, the spud 71 may be adjusted axially relative to the inlet of the Venturi tube 68 to thereby vary the size of the 'air gap 76 and obtain the desired mixture of airand gas for introduction into the manifold. This set screw 75 also separably the burners. One' connects the sleeve 72 and a collar 72, the latter holdin the sleeve in the bearing 70. The spud an sleeve remain stationary with the fuel supply pipe 74 while the yoke 69 rotates with the shaft 55, the pipe 74 being supported by any suitable means. (not shown). The flames projected from the burners 67 effectively heat the entire conveyor roll50 (Figs. 1 and 2) and the ware or leer conveyer to a degree approximating that of the ware being placed on the conveyor. Thus, the tendency for the conveyor to drawheat from the bottom of the ware is minimized if not entirely eliminated, so that strains and stresses are not unduly set up in the were being annealed.

Ware to be annealed is sometimes placed in the receiving end of the leer automaticallv by'mechanica'l ware handling devices, al-

.though it is the ractice in many plants to feed the leer by and. This latter practice means that the operators must, with the aid of suitable implements, set the ware upright on the ware conveyor in the leer and in doing According to the present invention (Figs.

1, 3 and 3A), the gate 80 is of rectangular shape and of hollow construction. Portions of the lower and inner walls of the gate are cut away to form exhaust openings 81 providing communication between the annealing chamber and vertical flues 82 which project downwardly into the hollow gate through openings 83 in the upper wall 84 of the gate. These fines or outlet pipes 82are suspended from a cross bar 85 (Fig. 3) which is fixed to the upper ends of standards 85 ports the gate elevating mechanism 86 which may, as shown, he of ordinary construction including a pair of threaded rods 87 extending upwardly through said cross bar and.

carrying bevel gear; 88 running in mesh with bevel gears 89 on a transverse shaft 90. This shaft 90 is journalled in suitable bearings 91 on the upper side of the cross bar 85 and carries a manually operable hand wheel 92 at one end which may be rotated to change the elevation of the gate 80. The rate of f movement of heat exhausted through the flues 82 is controlled by dampers 93 or valves which are adjustable across the upper ends of said fiues.

A leer embodying the features set forth herein provides for economy in annealing in that the cost of maintenance is relatively low. Obviously, this is .in part due to the fact that the elements most seriously affected and supby the intense heat are readily removable and replaceable without necessitating a general dis-assembly of the leer. Further, the means for preheating the ware conveyor contributes materially to economical operation and improved annealing, as pointed out above.

Modifications maybe resorted to within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A ware conveyor supporting floor for glassware annealing leers, comprising a series of cross bars arranged in parallel-relation to each other, and substantially Y-shaped grate bar units arranged ,in rows parallel with and between pairs of cross bars and having their end portions supported on the latter, said units formed to provide a perforate support assembled. I 1 I 2. A grate bar unit comprising a body portion, a pair of divergent arms extending laterally from one side of the body, a single lateral arm extending from the other side of said body, and members at the ends of said arms for engagement with a support.

3. A grate bar unit comprising a body portion, a pair of divergent arms extending laterally from one side of the body, a single lateral arm extending from the other side of said body, and angular fingers at the ends of said arms adapted to engage a support,- the upper surfaces of the body, arms and fingers being arranged in the same plane.

4. In a glassware annealing leer, a ware conveyor comprising a plurality of trans versely extending pivotally connected elements, each element comprising a flat metal strip bent to'sit on edge upon a conveyor sup port.

5. In a glassware annealing leer, the 'combination of an annealing chamber, a ware conveyor running through said chamber and comprising a series of pivotally connected transverse. elements, each element com rising a sheet metal strip set on edge and bent into a series of U-shaped sections whereby a perforate conveyor is formed.

6.- In a glassware annealing leer, an endless ware conveyor, a perforate conveyor roll over which the conveyor is trained, and means associated with the roll to apply heat to those portions of the conveyor passing over said roll.

7. In a less ware conveyor, a perforate roll at the front end of the leer, and means arranged in part within the roll to heat the latter and thereby preheat the ware conveyor.

8. A conveyor roll comprising an elongated hollow shaft forming a manifold, burners radiating from said'manifold, means to inject fuel into the manifold, and means carried by the manifold for engagement with a ware conveyor or the like.

fold, means to inject fuel glassware annealing leer, an end- I which the conveyor runs, said roll comprising an elongated hollow shaft forming a manifold, burners radiating from said manifold, means to inject fuel into the manifold, means carried by the manifold for engagement with said ware conveyor, the last named means comprising radial circular flanges on the manifold, and a series of circumferentially spaced bars fixed to the flanges and extending longitudinally of the manifold.

10. In a glassware annealing leer, an endless ware conveyor, a conveyor roll over which the conveyor runs, said roll comprising an elongated hollow shaft forming a manifold, burners radiating from said maniinto the manifold, means carried by the manifold for engagement with said ware conveyor said fuel injecting means including a non-rotating spud axially aligned with the manifold, and means to axially adjust said spud to control the mix ture of fuel.

11. In a glassware annealingleer, a ware comprising a flat strip a glasware annealing leer, an endless ware conveyor, a conveyor roll over 

